First Thursdays Are Coming to Melville!

Photo Credit: Snaps on Seventh

Melville has a new monthly event up its sleeve. It’s all about art, and it’s run by the community.

Johannesburg, South Africa (25 November 2025) – Melville is stepping into a new era of celebrating art, creativity and community.

Not to say that it hasn’t done so before. Melville has long been the bohemian hub of old Jozi charm. Its unmistakable vibe started strong in the 1990s and 2000s, but after the pandemic and economic pressures that followed, the neighbourhood faced its fair share of challenges.

But that creative spirit has slowly started shifting to life again.

The community is launching its very own First Thursdays-style event dubbed the Melville Art Mile.

“Melville has always been Johannesburg’s creative soul,” says Martin Wenkidu, world renowned artist and owner of Studio 79. “But that creative energy has been fragmented. The Melville Art Mile brings us together – galleries, markets, studios, and artists – to create something bigger than anyone could build alone.”

The pilot kicks off on Thursday, 4 December, from 4 PM to 9 PM. It’ll turn the neighbourhood into a walkable night of art, music, markets and creative experiences. It will feature a curated route by Jozi My Jozi JoziWalks Champion, Aubrey Moloto, connecting eight creative venues from Chatou Road on the border of Richmond, 7th Street, 4th Avenue and Main Road.

There’ll be gallery openings, live music performances, artisan markets, creative workshops (sip & paint, papermaking, printmaking, crafts, pottery and more).

Some of the participating venues include the Melville Mudroom, 27 Boxes – housing multiple galleries including DGI, AA Gallery, Gordart Stokvel Gallery, and Indoni Art House, and chiesa di PAZZO LUPi in collaboration with Melville Artisanal Market. Other stops include Studio 79, Avalon Art, The Melville Mansions collective and Die Pienk Kerk (the iconic pink church).

TukTuks will shuttle visitors along the route, whilst Melville Security Initiative, the Melville Residents Association, and Creass Community Services provide security, safety coordination and infrastructure maintenance.

What makes the new event feel especially authentic is that it isn’t coming from developers or outside funders trying to ‘create a precinct’. It’s run by Melville’s own artists, gallery owners and local creatives pooling resources, sharing skills and working together to make something bigger than any single venue could pull off alone.

It isn’t trying to revive Melville’s golden years. It’s starting something fresh and sustainable.

“We’re not trying to recreate the past,” explains Nkululeko Mabe, of Resource Gallery and one of the initiative’s founding members. “We’re building on Melville’s legacy whilst creating something fresh and sustainable for the future. This is about economic opportunity for artists and galleries, not just nostalgia.”

The First Thursdays concept is familiar to many South Africans thanks to Cape Town’s long-running version, which draws thousands each month. Melville’s take will have its own flavour. More intimate, more eclectic, and more rooted in the neighbourhood’s existing personality.

“What makes this special is the authenticity,” says Hildegard van Heerden of Avalon Art. “We’re not manufacturing culture – we’re amplifying what already exists here. Melville has incredible artists, world-class galleries, and passionate makers. We’re just making it easier for people to discover all of it in one evening.” says Hildegard van Heerden from Avalon Art.

Accessibility and inclusivity are a huge focus of the event. Visitors can join a guided tour, grab a pass that includes TukTuk transport, or simply show up and walk the route for free. Anyone and everyone is welcome.

The December evening is a test run to fine-tune logistics and gauge public interest, but the real launch is planned for February 2026, when the Melville Art Mile becomes a permanent monthly fixture.

The organising group is already in the process of forming the Melville Art Association to manage events, marketing and long-term plans for the neighbourhood’s creative economy.

“This is just the beginning,” says Moloto. “We’re building sustainable infrastructure that will serve Melville’s creative community for years to come. The December event is our proof of concept. February is when we show Johannesburg what Melville has always been: the city’s creative heartland.”